Diocesan Chancellor explains Stewardship Resolution in recent letter

CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — In a letter addressed to all parish rectors and parish councils dated December 4, 2018, Archpriest John Zdinak, Chancellor of the Diocese of the Midwest, explains in detail the Stewardship Resolution passed at the 52nd Diocesan Assembly held in Lansing, IL October 9-10.

A new Stewardship Resolution was passed at the last Diocesan Assembly held in Lansing, IL on October 9-10. The resolution changed the method of diocesan funding from a per capita “head tax” to a percentage of ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME [AGI]. The Resolution containing the methodology and the 13% of AGI was approved with no opposing votes. This amount covers both the funding of the Midwest Diocese and the diocesan portion of the OCA.

The resolution indicates that the percentage of AGI to be submitted for the billing year will be based on the required stewardship calculation submitted for the calendar year two years before. (Example: Calendar year 2019 billing is based on the information reported for the calendar year 2017.)

Many parishes have submitted their 2017 calendar year reports, but some have not. Those parishes that have not yet submitted their 2017 calculations may still do so, but must do so as soon as possible. If we do not receive the 2017 reports, we will base your billing amount based on the latest report we have received.

In the future, all parish Adjusted Gross Income calculation forms must be submitted by July 1st. Again, that means that the report for calendar year 2018 must be submitted by July 1, 2019 for preparation for the calendar year 2020. This will give the Diocesan Finance Committee and the Diocesan Council ample time to form and present a budget for the coming year.

I would like to note here that some Missions and parishes in distress may find the need to petition the Bishop for financial relief. The reporting form provides lines for making this request. Please understand that if you are submitting petition for financial Diocesan Stewardship Resolution relief, the parish must provide ALL financial and other supporting documentation supporting your request at the time of submission. Again, the deadline for this is July 1st.

Please note: January 2019 invoices, normally sent on the first of the month, will be sent in December 2018 to give parishes time to adjust.

Missions or parishes petitioning for relief for the 2019 Invoicing must do so as soon as possible.

It has come to the attention of the Chancery Office that some parishes are finding large increases in the amount to be remitted to the Diocese. If you are making this comparison, please note that if we were still on the per capita method, the per capita assessment would be $220 per person. It would not be the amount from this, and prior, calendar years.

The Stewardship Resolution, with the appropriate reporting form can be found here.